Juan Luis Gómez López (born 8 May 1980), commonly known as Juanlu, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left midfielder.
In a senior career that lasted 14 years, he amassed La Liga totals of 122 matches and 14 goals over seven seasons, representing in the competition Numancia, Betis, Osasuna and Levante. He added 136 games and 25 goals in the Segunda División.
Club career Almería Born in Málaga, Juanlu began his career at amateurs CD Don Benito and Mármol Macael CD before signing with neighbouring UD Almería of Segunda División, being first-choice in his first season but only a backup – seven games, none complete – in the second.Que fue de...."Juanlu" (What happened to...."Juanlu"); Vavel, 29 March 2018 (in Spanish)
During his time at the Andalusia side, Juanlu also had a loan stint at Alicante CF in the Segunda División B.
Betis Juanlu made his La Liga debut in the 2004–05 campaign, playing 27 league matches for CD Numancia (two goals, scoring against Real Betis in the league opener on 28 August, in a 1–1 home draw).Breve enciclopedia numantina (Brief numantina encyclopedia); Desde Soria, 29 May 2013 (in Spanish) Upon being relegated, he joined Betis on a six-year contract.Double signing for Betis; UEFA, 18 July 2005
During his time, Juanlu was also loaned to Albacete Balompié and CA Osasuna; unhappy at his lack of first team opportunities in Seville, he showed satisfaction upon his move to Navarre: "I am happy because this deal is good for everyone, especially for me because I've joined a team that's in the Champions League qualifying round."Juanlu joins Osasuna adventure; UEFA, 4 August 2006 He was relatively utilised in the league, and added six appearances with two goals in the UEFA Cup, including the only in the second leg of the quarter-finals against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.Juanlu makes sure for Osasuna; UEFA, 12 April 2007Los días de gloria de Juanlu y Valdo (Juanlu and Valdo's glory days); Noticias de Navarra, 30 October 2011 (in Spanish)
In August 2007, again on loan, Juanlu moved to another second-division side, Córdoba CF,Juanlu se marcha al Córdoba tras desestimar una última oferta del club vigués (Juanlu goes to Córdoba after snubbing last offer from Vigo club); La Voz de Galicia, 15 August 2007 (in Spanish) scoring five goals during the season as they barely avoided relegation. He returned to Betis in July 2008, and was told to look for a new club.Juanlu quiere desvincularse definitivamente del Real Betis (Juanlu wants to cut ties with Real Betis at once); Diario Córdoba, 6 March 2008 (in Spanish)
Levante After one year out of football, training but not registered, Juanlu broke ties with Betis on 12 June 2009, agreeing to a one-year deal at Levante UD on 28 July.Juanlu firma por el Levante UD para la próxima temporada (Juanlu signs with Levante UD for the next season); Levante UD, 28 July 2009 (in Spanish) In his first season, the veteran enjoyed his best year, scoring for the first time in double digits as the Valencian Community team returned to the top division two years later.Juanlu, el hombre de los goles históricos (Juanlu, man of the historic goals); Marca, 28 May 2013 (in Spanish)Juanlu, elegido jugador histórico del Levante UD (Juanlu, voted Levante UD's all-time player); La Liga, 20 July 2021 (in Spanish)
Juanlu appeared in 28 games in 2010–11 as Levante retained their league status, netting three times.Juanlu, el gran ariete andaluz que marcó en tres partidos míticos del levantinismo (Juanlu, the great Andalusian forward who scored in three legendary Levante matches); Museo Virtual Levante UD, 11 January 2023 (in Spanish) On 23 October 2011, he scored a brace in a 3–0 away win over Villarreal CF as they led the league early into the campaign.El Levante, líder en solitario por primera vez en su historia con baño al Villarreal (0–3) (Levante, sole leaders for the first time in history with thrashing of Villarreal (0–3)); RTVE, 23 October 2011 (in Spanish) In late December, however, whilst playing against Deportivo de La Coruña in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, he suffered fibula and ankle ligament fracture following a challenge by Borja, going on to be sidelined for three months.Levante la Copa por un 2011 de ensueño (Lift ("Levante" in English) the Cup for an unforgettable 2011); Marca, 21 December 2011 (in Spanish)Juanlu, operado de la fractura de peroné y del ligamento del tobillo (Juanlu had surgery to fibula and knee ligament fracture); Marca, 23 December 2011 (in Spanish)
Juanlu scored twice in 2012–13, in another escape from relegation. One of those goals came on 26 May 2013 at the San Mamés Stadium in a 1–0 defeat of Athletic Bilbao, in what was the last goal ever in the ground.Juanlu nets winner; ESPN FC, 26 May 2013 Later that season, he was accused by teammate José Barkero of lack of commitment during a 0–4 home loss to Deportivo alongside Sergio Ballesteros and Gustavo Munúa, which led to several match fixing allegations.Incendio en el vestuario del Levante por las acusaciones de amaño entre jugadores (Fire in Levante locker room for match-fixing accusations between players); Libertad Digital, 1 May 2013 (in Spanish)Levante thrown into doubt; Football España, 6 May 2013
Later career On 27 August 2013, aged 33, Juanlu moved abroad for the first time in his career, joining compatriot Jonan García at newly promoted Greek club Kalloni FC.Juanlu Gómez ficha por el Kalloni de la Superliga griega (Juanlu Gómez signs for Superleague Greece's Kalloni); Diario AS, 27 August 2013 (in Spanish) He returned to both Spain and Córdoba in January 2014,Juanlu Gómez regresa al Córdoba seis años después (Juanlu Gómez returns to Córdoba six years later); Marca, 21 January 2014 (in Spanish) going on to appear in 16 competitive matches during the campaign in a top-division promotion after a 42-year absence.Los héroes del ascenso (The promotion heroes); ABC, 23 June 2014 (in Spanish)
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